Designer Honey Waqar has carved a niche in Pakistan's fashion world and has been crowned "The Couture Queen of Pakistan" by many. Her work has been showcased on foreign shores and she feels her country has wider options than India for Asian skin.
"Culturally, both the countries (India and Pakistan) are exactly the same. I, however, feel that we have a much larger choice to offer with more intricate work and exotic colours that complement Asian skin," the designer said on being asked to compare Indian and Pakistani designs.
"Our cuts complement the silhouette of a woman showing her curves and not hiding her femininity," Waqar told IANS in an interview.
She, however, points out one common factor between India's and Pakistan's fashion scenes.
"Lots of designers have cropped up in every nook and corner of India as well as Pakistan, but the winners are only those with fashion sensibilities. This quality only improves with time, aesthetic sense and devotion," she said.
It is high time India and Pakistan avoided going over the top during wedding season, she suggests.
"We obviously don't want people to look like Christmas trees. Everything looks good in moderation; so one needs to avoid wearing too much at one go," she said.
Waqar, who began her journey in the fashion industry three decades ago by becoming the CEO of Honey Waqar Signature, recently exhibited her collection at Bridal Asia in the capital.
Her uniqueness stems from her source of inspiration, which is not confined to a certain era.
A variety of fabrics embellished with semi-precious stones, sparkling sequins, antique zardozi and embroideries presented in the most artistic manner set her designs apart.
"My signature style is flamboyant. I like glitz and glamour and I like women to look super sexy and feminine," she said.
As the official fashion ambassador of her country, she served to foster a positive image of her homeland.
Sharing the changes that she wants to see in the Pakistan fashion industry, Waqar said: "I would like to change the politics that goes on around in the fashion industry. I would like to see it become more stable as an industry."
She added that she wants the fashion industry to make a mark on international platforms too.
With a vast experience in the fashion industry, she is planning to be a regular part of two major fashion events of Indian - Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) and Lakme Fashion Week (LFW).
"We plan to open up here in the coming year in collaboration with some well connected people that we are already in talks with. But let's see what the future holds," said Waqar.
(Nivedita can be contacted at nivedita.s@ians.in)
